Bayern Munich warmed up for next week’s Champions League showdown with Barcelona by thumping Hannover 6-1 in the Bundesliga.

World Cup qualifiers - roundup

Sometimes the result of a simple game of football becomes etched into the folklore of a nation.

Almost there now…

Giovanni Trapattoni insists he feels like a 20-year-old as he prepares to become the oldest coach to send his team into European Championship finals battle.

A is for Arshavin: The diminutive little playmaker lit up this tournament four years ago, tormenting a fine Dutch side and inspiring Russia to a place in the semi-finals.

Croatian defender Vedran Corluka last night emerged as a possible injury concern for the side’s opening Group C game against the Republic of Ireland in Poznan on Sunday.

Slaven Bilic has neglected to ape Giovanni Trapattoni by naming his team in advance of Sunday’s Group C opener against Ireland in Poznan but it now seems certain the Croatian coach will ask Everton’s Nikica Jelavic to spearhead his attack.

Two of Ireland’s Euro 2012 group rivals have been hit by late injuries, with Croatian striker Ivica Olic out of the tournament with a ruptured thigh muscle.

Croatia were dealt a major blow today when striker Ivica Olic was ruled out of Euro 2012.

To understand the man, sometimes you have to have met him as a boy.

Bayern Munich 1 Chelsea 1 (Chelsea won 4-3 on penalties)

Slaven Bilic overshadowed the announcement of Croatia’s preliminary 27-man squad for Euro 2012 by confirming that he would be standing down after the tournament.

Slaven Bilic has announced he will step down as coach of Croatia’s national team after Euro 2012.

The Spanish team may not be the only European champions Ireland face this summer.

Two first-half goals from Ivica Olic helped Bayern Munich to a routine win over Marseille that booked them a Champions League semi-final berth.

Bayern Munich 2 Marseille 0 (Bayern win 4-0 on aggregate)

It’s half-time at the Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb and Croatia are halfway to disaster.

MANCHESTER CITY’S maiden Champions League campaign came to an end despite a convincing win over an under-strength Bayern Munich last night.

Manchester City 2 Bayern Munich 0

Yes, says Jonathen Wilson

PORTUGAL boss Paulo Bento will demand patience from his players as they try to secure a place at Euro 2012 tonight against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

CROATIA all but guaranteed themselves a place at Euro 2012 after hammering hosts Turkey in the first leg of their play-off at the Ataturk Stadium last night.

Turkey 0 Croatia 3

THERE may have been very little to capture the imagination last night but neither Giovanni Trapattoni nor Slaven Bilic will be complaining too much.

“Please God, he’ll still be here in February. I don’t see any way Robbie won’t be here unless someone comes up with £50 million or something for him!”

Jonny Evans is tipping Northern Ireland team-mate Steve Davis to eventually find a way back to the Premier League.

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal maintains he has too many strikers and that signing another is out of the question, even if one of his current crop were to be sold.

Croatia 2 Wales 0

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL: Inter Milan 2 Bayern Munich )

WHAT a week of snarling, no-holds barred, edge of the seat, competitive drama – and, no, I’m not talking about the Irish senior side taking on Paul Doolin’s Irish U23s.

Bayern hat-trick hero Ivica Olic hailed last night’s performance as “the best match of my life” after his treble sent Bayern Munich to their first Champions League final since 2001.

BAYERN MUNICH cruised into their first Champions League final for nine years in France last night, courtesy of Ivica Olic’s hat-trick – and team-mate Arjen Robben immediately declared he wants Inter Milan and old boss Jose Mourinho in the final.

Lyon 0 Bayern Munich 3 (Bayern win 4-0 on aggregate)

THE conqueror of Fiorentina and Manchester United, Arjen Robben, again produced the moment of individual brilliance that settled a Champions League game, although the former Chelsea winger’s 70th-minute winner was just one of several talking points.

Bayern Munich 1 Lyon 0

Alex Ferguson insists Wayne Rooney did not suffer any long-term damage as Manchester United bowed out of the Champions League on away goals last night.

ALEX FERGUSON last night slammed the behaviour of the Bayern Munich players after Manchester United’s Champions League exit at the hands of the German side.

MANCHESTER UNITED’S Champions League hopes were left in tatters at Old Trafford last night, where Bayern Munich produced a thrilling fightback to gain suitable revenge for events of 1999 and leave Alex Ferguson facing the unthinkable prospect of seeing his season disintegrate around him.

Manchester United 3 Bayern Munich 2 (aggregate 4-4, Bayern win on away goals)

BAYERN Munich coach Louis van Gaal insists Manchester United are still the favourites to progress from their Champions League quarter-final despite the German side going into tonight’s second leg with a 2-1 lead.

NEMANJA VIDIC is convinced Dimitar Berbatov is ready to answer Manchester United’s SOS call.

Edwin van der Sar insists Manchester United can win without Wayne Rooney.

Alex Ferguson will send Wayne Rooney for a scan later this week to discover whether his worst fears are about to come true.